Listeria monocytogenes: A continuing challenge

As a leading cause of death from a foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogen es continues to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks of illness. The most rec ent of these outbreaks in the United States involved consumption of hot dog s, with 101 cases of illness and 21 deaths reported to the Centers for Dise ase Control and Prevention for the years 1998-1999. Epidemiologic analysis determined that contamination levels in hot dogs were remarkably low (0.3 C FU [colony-forming units] L monocytogenes serotype 4b/g). That same year, m anufacturers of hot dogs and luncheon meats collectively recalled more than 500,000 pounds of product owing to possible Listeria contamination. This a rticle, through focus on issues such as reexamination of zero-tolerance pol icies, improvements in detection and enumeration procedures, the impact of epidemiologic innovations, and measures needed to further reduce the incide nce of listeriosis will highlight why L monocytogenes remains a continuing challenge for the food industry.